Explanatory note

This Order gives effect, with one modification, to recommendations by the Boundary Committee for England, a committee of the Electoral Commission, for electoral changes in the district of West Berkshire. The changes have effect in relation to local government elections to be held on and after 1st May 2003.

The modification relates to the amendment of the boundary between the Birch Copse and Purley on Thames district wards.

Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the district and provides for the creation of 30 new wards. That article and Schedule 1 also make provision for the names and areas of, and numbers of councillors for, the new wards.

Articles 4 to 7 make electoral changes in the parishes of Cold Ash, Newbury, Thatcham and Tilehurst.

Article 9 obliges the Electoral Registration Officer to make any necessary amendments to the electoral register to reflect the new electoral arrangements.

Article 10 revokes articles 9(1), 9(2), 9(3) and 9(7) of the Berkshire (Structural Change) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1879).

The areas of the new district wards are demarcated on the map described in article 2. Prints of the map may be inspected at all reasonable times at the offices of West Berkshire District Council and at the principal office of the Electoral Commission, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.